What is the standard load for shotgun ammo used in shooting clay targets?
Is 1 1/8 oz. a lot, a little?
1 1/8 is standard but also the maximum (by rule, and by manufacture, ie. you won’t find target loads over that weight) for clay target shooting (trap, sporting clays, skeet). 1oz, even 7/8oz works too.
Shot size 7 1/2 maximum (again by rule and manufacture), 8, 8 1/2, or 9 (considered minimum for effectiveness).
Dram Equivalent is sometimes still used as a means to indicate velocity. 2 3/4 or 3 dram eq. (DR EQ) are basic.
2 3/4 dram equals 1145 fps for 1 1/8oz, or 1180 for 1oz. Standard and more than adequate.
3 dram equals 1200 fps for 1 1/8oz and up to about 1250fps for 1oz.
There are “hotter” clay target loads, mainly handicap trap loads (not to exceed 1290fps for 1 1/8oz), or sporting clay loads which go up to 1300fps. These 3 1/4 dram + loads are for the most part excessive..
So to recap:
1 1/8 or less.
7 1/2 or smaller.
3 1/4 dram (1300fps) or less (less is better in this case).*
* = if you decide you absolutely have to postively must shoot the “boomer” loads (3 1/4dr) make sure the range allows it, as some clubs have a 3dr eq rule to keep the shot landing in their shot fall zone.
Mini Crossbow Shooting Targets